::ATKINS DIET::

Does anyone know more info if atkins diet is ok for t2? my friend wanted to try it with me but I told him that phase one of basically just eating 10 g of carbs is dangerous for diabetic… Am I right? I'm not sure… pls discuss? Thanks!

Simply and respectfully, Atkins never said that it is ok to eat all the fat you want. This is a misinterpetation that has apparently spread like wildfire. He does stress the difference between healthy fats and unhealthy fats! He suggests that if a diet is to restrictive, many people will not stick to it and then go back to their prior unhealthy eating habits. He states that if you are going to cheat and eat bacon, then you are better off eating Canadian bacon, the one with less fat content. Much of what he says is taken out of context and misinterpeted. I do not advocate for or against the Atkins diet. I did speak to medical professionals at his clinic on a few occasions, and they were extremely helpful. It is a clinic that specializes in diabetes amongst other specialties. I suspect that if done correctly, the Atkins diet can be helpful for some. It is not the diet for everyone. I did a modified version for many years and definitely managed my diabetes with some excellent results. After 17 years of living with diabetes, I have no known complications, and remain fairly healthy. I am on a different diet however for many reasons.

Eating fat does not make you fat. It is the starchy carbs like bread, potatoes, white rice, sugar and other highly processed carbs which make us fat. Eating good healthy fats like butter, olive oil, coconut oil and yes even lard is actually very good for you. There is lots of research out there that will help. Oh, and by the way, Atkins is not extreme except for the first two weeks. In those two weeks you eat proteins like 4 to 6 oz of meat, fish, or chicken, eggs, and small amounts of cheese along with big green salads, and other non starchy vegetables and lots and lots of water and non caffeinated beverages.

if you are on a ketogenic (fat burning) meal plan the fat you eat either gets burned or passes through your GI tract and into your fecal waste. I don't worry about eating fat simply because I want to keep my calorie intake up so I don't lose TOO much weight. (friends who see me for the 1st time after about a year comment, wondering if I am sick or something.

If Dahlia has kidney issues that is true. But I DO have kidney issues and my kidney Dr told me my high protein meal plan was OK since my bloodwork came back OK on certain indicators of protein consumption. I had been getting bloodwork done every 2 months and whenever I asked him about it, he said it was still OK.

Its 20 gm of carbs in phase one. There is an Atkins for Diabetics. I do not know if that varies. You should stay in phase one until you are close to your goal weight. You do eat 2-3 cups of low carb veggies each day. It expands what you eat into the 4 phases. I once lost a lot of weight that way

You are absolutely right according to many experts on the subject. I don't think Atkins recommended 10 g of carbs even in phase one. It's been years since I read the Atkins diet so I might be mistaken. I have read almost everyone of his books. A diet consisting of 10 g of carbs, or not enough carbs for to long a period will keep your bg in check, but with some serious consequenses down the line. It is best to integrate expert advice with your choice of foods. BEWARE of where you get your advice from!!!

I've been using the low carb diet for at least 30 years. When I start to gain weight I go on the diet. Now I am using it for this medical condition I have or what the doctor said I will have. I am keeping my b/s down to 125 or below and I lost 30 lbs. So whatever works do it to stay healthy. Oh I think 10g of carbs is too low, I usually try to keep it at 60g a day. I do not use the Atkins but what they call the air force diet of carb counting. I still have the original book.

That's good news! I went for my first A1c since being diagnoised(sp) w/T2. In 3 months I lost 31.5# and went from an A1c of 8.1 to 6.6 (which my Dr said is still too high). I'm on 75g of Carbs per meal w/no snacks as per my dietician. Though I never get that high eating breakfast or lunch- usually <50g of carbs.. I'm currently on 500 mg Metformin and the Dr didn't changed anything so he must not be too concerned, eh? I still haven't eaten any rice, but have eaten the Dreamfield brand of pasta w/o any BG spiking. I did go up on my LDL & went down on my HDL since going on Lipitor which has my & the Dr. a bit puzzled.

I agree with you. For the last 3 days I went off my carb count and up went the sugar. I found out what my problem is and it is my wife. She is such a good cook I can not resist her meals but I will have to resist a little harder.

The Weight Watchers diet has worked well for me. I stopped taking Metformin about 6 weeks into the diet. I don't take any meds at all now. I think for type 2 getting the weight off any way you can is important.

I try to intake as little carbs as possible for I react terrible in that my BG spike with little effort. It has taken several years to come to this conclusion, but ask the doc first. Even though I intake little carbs, I've gained 30-40 pounds because of the insulin. No losing weight with this guy.

I use an extreme form of an Atkins like meal plan. I have managed my t2 without the use of any diabetes meds (had been on insulin) and kept my Blood Glucose (BG) levels close to normal. A1c of 5.5, and I lost 65 lbs this past year. (only been on this meal plan for a year). I also suggest as have others here, that you discuss this with your Dr and watch your BG levels so you don't go low, and then talk to your Dr about modifying your medication dosages according to your body's response to your meal plan.

A low-carb approach works for managing diabetes…at least, it works for me and many others here. The Atkins diet is a low-carb diet so I would encourage you to urge your friend to try it particularly if the friend needs to lose weight. It works!

Early in my experience with diabetes, I was hospitalized for hyperglycemia and had been spilling ketones. My breath was characterized as having a "fruity" smell…don't know if that qualifies as a "stink" but it is not normal.That was my only experience with DKA requiring hospitalization…I'd had a bad cold and didn't know that I needed to increase insulin during periods of illness.

I've been using the low carb diet way before atkins came out. I limit myself to 60 grams a day but stay away from breads and pastas. Now that I am pre diagnosed, I cut down to 40-50 a day and do not see any difference. There are times that I go crazy like yesterday when I made J Kate's under 10 grams cheese cake. You have to decide for yourself. We need carbs but not the ones that stick to our insides. I learned to read lables and cook for myself. Good Luck